The investigation into the parcel bombing in Monaco that left three people injured has taken a dramatic turn with the announcement of an arrest warrant for a suspect. The principality's prosecutor's office confirmed on Thursday that an Interpol Red Notice will be issued, paving the way for extradition proceedings against the individual identified as being behind the attack.
The bombing, which occurred on Monday evening, targeted Vadym Iermolaiev, 58, a Ukrainian-born businessman with Cypriot nationality. The multimillionaire was seriously injured in the blast, along with his partner and 13-year-old son, who were also present at the apartment building's entrance hall when the device detonated. While Mr Iermolaiev's condition has stabilised, his partner remains critically ill in hospital, while their son is recovering from non-life-threatening injuries.
The sanctions imposed by Ukraine on Mr Iermolaiev in December 2023 provide a potential motive for the attack. The oligarch, who has been living in Monaco since at least 2021, was accused of operating an alcohol business in Russian-annexed Crimea and paying taxes to Moscow despite Kyiv's claims that he supported the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Monaco's authorities have credited their efficient police forces and robust international cooperation for swiftly identifying a suspect. Public prosecutor Stephane Thibault praised the efforts, saying they enabled the rapid identification of the alleged perpetrator in an unusually short timeframe. A judicial investigation has been launched, with three investigating judges assigned to the case.
The attack has sent shockwaves through Monaco's close-knit community, which values its high level of security and attracts some of the world's wealthiest individuals as residents. The rare occurrence of such violent crimes in the principality makes this incident particularly unsettling for both locals and the international community.